The papal decree—which authorizes priests to administer the sacrament of holy matrimony to same-sex partners and explicitly states that "homosexual relations between two consenting adults is not, and never has been, a sin"—was reportedly a direct result of the pope sharing an afternoon of engaging conversation and hearty laughter with the gay couple.

"Not only are Tony and Craig complete sweethearts, but anyone who spends more than two minutes with them can see they're clearly perfect for each other," said Benedict, who in the past has described homosexual behavior as a grave disease that threatens all of humanity. "They're fun, gracious, and simply wonderful company. And you can tell they have something special just by the way they look at each other."

"They're soulmates, really," added the pope, smiling. "Allowing them to formalize their union in the Church is the least we could do for them."

Vatican officials said the vacationing couple and the Supreme Pontiff met during a routine papal audience at St. Peter's Basilica, and "really hit it off" after discovering shared interests in photography, the piano, and Spanish cuisine.

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Pope Benedict XVI claims that any law respecting the wishes of Tony and Craig is "a law I support wholeheartedly."

Though sources said the 84-year-old Benedict, a lifelong scholar of antigay ecclesiastical law, initially appeared skeptical upon meeting the pair, he was reportedly put at ease after Housinger spoke a few humorous lines to the pope in his native German and Ruggiero effusively complimented his gold cuff links, touching off a friendly conversation that effectively upended 2,000 years of Roman Catholic teachings.

"They were witty and cultured, but also very friendly—I really don't meet too many people like that," the pope said of the couple, who excitedly suggested to him several off-the-beaten-path sights and "to die for" restaurants after he mentioned an upcoming trip to Buenos Aires. "Craig has a great passion for Italian painting, and I learned a lot from him about the Church's collection of Caravaggios. He's a real Renaissance man."

"I know what scripture says about homosexuals, but when I stop to think about it, I can't get past the fact that the Bible is just a book, and Tony and Craig are real people," Benedict added. "Love is love. Man-woman, man-man, woman-woman—who cares? The Catholic Church recognizes it's not the Stone Age anymore."

Invited on a personal tour of the Vatican, Housinger and Ruggiero were said to have charmed the College of Cardinals with amusing anecdotes from their seven-year relationship, displaying a playful yet tender affection for each other that deeply moved the clergy.

High-ranking officials within the Holy See said they were pleased to learn both partners were practicing Catholics who attend mass regularly, and were surprised to discover Housinger was employed as a general contractor, a profession none of them considered gay at all.

According to reports, the highlight of the afternoon came when the couple shared photographs of their adopted 14-month-old Cambodian daughter, Lorraine, whom the swooning clergy universally described as "angelic."

"Even if you just meet Tony and Craig for a few minutes, it's easy to see how supportive and patient they are," said the Most Rev. Francesco Coccopalmerio, the Vatican's top expert on canon law, who noted the two partners have a stronger bond than some of the married couples he knows. "You can tell they've created a perfect household for a child to grow up in. I just wish everybody could be raised by parents as devoted and caring as them."

Following a warm farewell in which Ruggiero hugged Benedict—an incident the Holy Father described as "not even weird or anything"—Vatican leaders are said to have unanimously agreed that it was "completely hypocritical" for anyone, especially those who have taken a vow of celibacy, to tell people whom they can or cannot share their lives with.

"If Tony and Craig want to exchange vows before God and their friends and family, where's the harm in that?" Benedict said. "It's not as if they're offending the sanctity of life, like those wicked birth control users who will toil for all eternity in hellfire."

Rom 1:21-28 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

(26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

(28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

I think the problem with people being gay is mainly the fact that like it says in romans that they dont know God. And have not come to know Jesus as their saviour. Maybe they are prisoners of a religion.
And hence dont have God, a relationship with Him, our loving heavenly Father. But only a religion.

I have talked with many people who think that going to church equals having relationship with God. Well thats same as saying that going to your friends house where your friend is not, is same as being with your friend.

POG, You need to make the words "What If This Was True?" the title of this thread. The title you chose is untrue as stated and misleading.

SLE

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That is a good idea but, I will tell you something that is the truth:

The Presbyterian Church USA has just allowed homosexual Pastors, the emphasis was that it is O.K. to preach the word of God and openly profess that you are a practicing homosexual, essentially you can't discriminate.

It is an oxy-moron to me, I don't see how you are walking with the Lord, preaching his word no less and being a consenting homosexual but, that is up to God to judge.

The point here that this allows Pastors to not be just struggling with a sin but, openly professing that they are homosexual and have no desire to change. In fact, the Presbyterian Church has, in my opinion have turned their back on the word of God and have even change the wording in their Book of Order stating a marriage is no longer a union between a man and a woman.

RJ, thank you, you made my point exactly. So many pastors now permit everything, pre-marital sex, abortions, same-sex marriages, divorce, and so soon the whole country will permit this. The queen of England is O.K with it even though the country and church were once one then. Are you saying that this isn't the future? Read the Bible and you'll see.

SLD, There is no option on the post for "Edit" so how do you want me to change it? IF someone decides to read it, the very first line in the post is "Imagine if this was true"

I don't appreciate how this post is being handled, that brother who told me to eliminate it, really? why don't you try to kick me out of church then, why don't you make me an out cast and stone me? I'm free to post what I want as long as it doesn't disagree with the forum rules and I don't disrespect anyone. Disagree with me, that's okay, I'll disagree with you as well.

The Presbyterian Church USA has just allowed homosexual Pastors, the emphasis was that it is O.K. to preach the word of God and openly profess that you are a practicing homosexual, essentially you can't discriminate.

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The post was referring to the Catholic Church (The Vatican) not the Presbyterian ChurchUSA.

This is merely the Catholic church going back to it's Babylonian roots. It's very sad to see that the Church is falling very heavily into these things. My best advice would be for people to leave the church and start gathering together elsewhere. Right now the church is a pathway to hell.

This is merely the Catholic church going back to it's Babylonian roots. It's very sad to see that the Church is falling very heavily into these things. My best advice would be for people to leave the church and start gathering together elsewhere. Right now the church is a pathway to hell.

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Excuse me? What exactly are you trying to say? I'm a catholic and I belong to a church and without it I doubt my faith would grow. God changed my life through some events that happened in churches mostly and without that I don't know if I would be with my faith where I am now. Besides, Catholic church was formed by Peter and Jesus Himself ordered Him to do it. Do you even know what happens at mass?

And this "gay marriage" you speak of will never be allowed in Catholic Church.

I'm quite offended by your post. If it wasn't for the church my faith would be minimal if it wouldn't be diminished completely. So think again before saying anything bad about the church.

Excuse me? What exactly are you trying to say? I'm a catholic and I belong to a church and without it I doubt my faith would grow.

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The Word of God alone is supposed to make us grow.
1 Peter 1:21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

We are to put our faith in Christ, not in the church. The church
itself can encourage people, and be an oasis in the middle
of a busy life with no one that shares the same faith as you.
But we can't depend on others in a church to help our faith grow.
Spiritual growth requires food, exercise, and time -- just like human physical growth. God's Word is spiritual food, and acting on God's Word exercises the human spirit.

The Word of God alone is supposed to make us grow.
1 Peter 1:21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

We are to put our faith in Christ, not in the church. The church
itself can encourage people, and be an oasis in the middle
of a busy life with no one that shares the same faith as you.
But we can't depend on others in a church to help our faith grow.
Spiritual growth requires food, exercise, and time -- just like human physical growth. God's Word is spiritual food, and acting on God's Word exercises the human spirit.

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What exactly are you saying? God works in mysterious ways and even words from another person can make my faith grow. I was talking about a particular sermon. That sermon changed my life forever. I don't want to get into details but I think I made my point. And don't dismiss the fact that Jesus was the person who founded Catholic Church. Technically Peter but from Jesus' order. How can you not see that? It was basically God's plan to make it happen. Catholic church should help people grow in faith and that's what it does.